How to Get Paint Off a Ceramic Tile Floor

Tile with an etched glaze might be delicate.

Whether you want to remove a deliberate paint job or accidental splatters from your ceramic tile floor, you can complete the job yourself after a little experimentation. Ceramic tiles are designed to be sturdy, and they can stand up to fairly harsh chemical cleaners. However, they come with a wide variety of glazes, some of which scratch or etch more easily than others. If your ceramic tiles have a hard glaze, you can use a commercial paint remover to strip off the old paint; if they have a soft glaze, a natural, homemade solution will do the trick more gently.

Commercial Paint Remover

1

Mop the tile floor so it is thoroughly clean. Allow it to dry.

2

Apply a commercial paint remover to a clean cloth. Rub the paint remover on an inconspicuous spot on the tile. If there are no inconspicuous areas with paint, use a spot without any -- you are testing whether the paint remover will damage the glaze, so the paint itself is not critical here.

3

Follow the product's instructions on cleaning up the excess paint remover. If it does not offer instructions, wet another cloth with warm water and scrub the spot clean. Dampen a soft brush and gently scrub the tile.

4

Check the test spot for damage to the glaze. If there is no damage, you can remove all the paint this way.

Natural Paint Remover

1

Combine equal parts water and white vinegar to make a natural paint remover if you need or want an alternative to the commercial version. Bring the vinegar solution to a boil, then remove it from the heat.

2

Apply the solution to a clean cloth. Smooth the cloth gently over a painted tile. The hot vinegar will soften the paint, which should start to release from the tile. Scrub the paint off the tile with a soft brush.

3

Repeat the process with the other painted tiles. Return the vinegar solution to the heat source as often as necessary to keep it hot while you work.

4

Rinse the tiles by mopping them with warm water.

Things You Will Need

Mop

Paint remover

Cloths

Soft brush

White vinegar

Tips

Choose a commercial paint remover with a label that specifies it is safe for ceramic tile.

Warnings

Paint removers can release toxic fumes. Open doors and windows to ventilate the area while working with these products.

Using the vinegar solution does not pose health risks, but it is more time consuming than using a paint remover and it may cause a lingering odor.